A Holiday Romance

*A Holiday Romance*
A Holiday Romance
Also known as	A Song for the Season
Written by	Darrah Cloud
Directed by	Bobby Roth
Starring	Naomi Judd; Andy Griffith; Gerald McRaney; Alison Pill
Music by	Christopher Franke; Edgar Rothermich
Country of origin	United States
Original language	English
Production
Executive producers	Howard Braunstein; Darrah Cloud; Michael Jaffe
Producer	Randi Richmond
Cinematography	Eric Van Haren Noman
Editor	Armen Minasian
Running time	91 minutes
Production company	Jaffe/Braunstein Productions
Original release
Network	CBS
Release	December 8, 1999

A Holiday Romance (released in the UK under the title A Song for the season) is a 1999 American made-for-television Christmas romantic drama film directed by Bobby Roth and starring Naomi Judd, Andy Griffith, and Gerald McRaney.^[1] This film has been released on DVD.

Plot

At the beginning of the holiday season, a school administrator, Cal Peterson (Gerald McRaney), is sent to a financially troubled school to find a way to keep it from closing. After reviewing expenses, he decides that the best way to save money is to cancel the music program in which his niece Fern (Alison Pill) is enrolled and let go its teacher, Lily Waite (Naomi Judd). News of his decision leaks out prematurely, causing resentment among the students. After realizing how much the program has benefited his shy niece, he regrets his decision, but can think of no better alternative.

In a subplot, with Peterson's help, a long-time lady friend secretly arranges a reunion of his father Jake Peterson's WWII squadron, as a Christmas present. He is so happy that he decides to propose.

The film ends with a concert by the music department's students, where Peterson hears his niece perform and then announces that the townspeople have donated enough money to keep the program going.

Cast

Naomi Judd as Lily Waite
Andy Griffith as Jake Peterson
Gerald McRaney as Cal Peterson
Alison Pill as Fern
Jayne Eastwood as Margie
Taborah Johnson as Anne Hutchinson
Jackie Richardson as Bea Buskins
Brian Heighton as Todd
Jack Duffy as Irwin
Sumela Kay as Clarissa
Adam Dolson as Del
Nathan Carter as Hal
Martha Gibson as Donna
Andrea Lewis as Autumn
Aron Tager as Joseph
Ken Wickes as Pete
The Essentials with Paula MacNeill as singers at gas station
Students from Port Credit Secondary School as the orchestra

Production

A Holiday Romance was filmed in Toronto by Jaffe/Braunstein Productions and directed by Bobby Roth. The script was written by Darrah Cloud. The executive producers were Michael Jaffe, Howard Braunstein and Darrah Cloud.^[2]